Articles

Key takeaways

• Prepare for emergencies with a family 'go-bag' and a clear plan.
• Pack specific items for yourself and your baby in an emergency bag.
• Create an escape plan and communication tree for your family.
• Understand how to keep your baby safe during hot weather.

Why planning for emergencies is different with a baby on the way

When you're pregnant or have a new baby, it's helpful to have a plan for any emergencies. There are a few extra things to think about for you and your little one.

These include having important phone numbers easily available. You should also have a well-stocked first-aid kit at home.

It is helpful to prepare an emergency bag. If you can, try to pack this bag all at once so it’s ready to go.

You should also plan an escape route for your family. Think about where you would go in an emergency. Plan a place to meet with your children if you get separated.

Assembling your family's 'go-bags'

Creating an emergency 'go-bag' helps you be ready for unexpected situations. This bag should contain essential items for your family.

Your family's general 'go-bag'

This bag should include:

• Cash – for immediate needs.
• Keys – for your home and car.
• Clothes – including children's clothes and spare school uniforms if needed.
• Favourite toys – to comfort children.
• Medication – any essential prescriptions.
• Phone charger – to keep your devices working.
• Phone numbers – written down in case you cannot use your phone.
• Important documents – Pack essential papers like passports, birth certificates, and tenancy agreements.

Your 'go-bag' for pregnancy and postpartum

This bag is for your personal needs during labour, birth, and the time after you've given birth (the postpartum period).

Pack these items for yourself:

• Your birth plan and hospital notes.
• Loose, comfortable clothing to wear during labour.
• A dressing gown and slippers or flip-flops.
• Nightwear, especially front-opening if you plan to breastfeed.
• Three changes of comfortable clothes.
• Five or six pairs of knickers; disposable ones can be useful.
• Two or three comfortable bras, including nursing bras if you plan to breastfeed.
• Breast pads.
• Two packets of super-absorbent sanitary or maternity pads.
• Your wash bag with toiletries. Include items like toothpaste, a toothbrush, and lip balm.
• An eye mask and ear plugs to help you sleep.
• Towels.
• Your own pillows.
• Healthy snacks, drinks, and a water bottle.
• Any medicines you are taking.
• If you plan to use a TENS machine for pain relief, remember to pack it and spare batteries.
• Books, magazines, or music to help you relax.
• Your phone and phone charger; a long cable or battery pack can be useful.
• Spare glasses or contact lenses if you wear them.
• A spare bag for any washing.
• Unscented toiletries and makeup. Strong smells can be overwhelming for your newborn, and keeping things scent-free can help with bonding.

Your baby's 'go-bag'

This bag should contain all the essentials for your newborn.

Pack these items for your baby:

• Bodysuits, vests, and sleepsuits.
• An outfit for going home in.
• A hat and scratch mittens. Also pack socks or booties.
• A snowsuit if the weather is cold.
• Nappies.
• Cotton wool or wipes.
• Muslin squares.
• A car seat for the trip home.
• A blanket or shawl.
• Sterilised bottles, teats, and formula if you are bottle-feeding.

Creating a family escape plan and contact list

Having a clear plan helps everyone know what to do in an emergency. This includes identifying safe routes and meeting points.

Escape routes and meeting points

It's a good idea to have an escape plan for your family. Talk through the plan with your family so everyone knows what to do. Try to practise it regularly.

Plan how you and your family would leave the house safely and quickly. Make sure everyone knows what to do.

Think about where you will go if you need to leave quickly. Plan a place to meet if you get separated. It's also helpful to teach your children how to call 999 in an emergency.

Important contacts and documents

Have important phone numbers where you can find them easily. This includes emergency contacts and family members.

Keep important documents in your emergency bag. These include passports, birth certificates, and tenancy agreements.

Key considerations for common emergencies

Being prepared for specific emergencies helps keep your family safe. This is especially true with a new baby.

Fire safety

Taking steps to prevent fires is very important.

It's safest to fit sturdy fireguards on all fires, including open fires and wood burners. Make sure they are attached firmly to the walls.

Have any gas or oil appliances checked regularly by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This ensures they are not a fire hazard.

• Fit interlinked smoke alarms on each floor of your house. These should be mains-wired or have sealed batteries that last the alarm's lifetime.
• Test alarms weekly by pressing the test button. If an alarm does not go off, replace the battery or get a new alarm.
• Do not smoke indoors.

You can ask your local fire service for a free home fire safety visit. They may fit a smoke alarm free of charge if they feel your home is at a higher risk of fire.

Carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide is an invisible, poisonous gas. It has no taste or smell.

This means it can build up in your home without you knowing, so it is important to take safety measures.

It can be in your home if appliances are not fitted or ventilated properly. It can also be present if they are not regularly looked after.

• Fit a carbon monoxide detector in your home.
• Make sure all gas and solid fuel appliances are installed and serviced regularly by a qualified professional.
• Chimneys in houses with solid fuel should be swept often.
• Do not light barbecues or fuel heaters in confined spaces.

Signs of a problem include a gas fire burning with a yellow flame instead of blue. Sooty marks on appliance covers or yellow/brown stains around boilers can also indicate an issue.

If you see these signs, switch off the appliance immediately. Call 999 if you have symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Home temperature

Keeping your home warm is important for your newborn's health. Try to heat the room where you and your baby spend time to 18 degrees Celsius.

It is also important that babies do not get too hot or cold while sleeping. Check their temperature by feeling their stomach or the back of their neck.

Hot weather

Babies and young children can become ill during very hot weather. This can lead to them losing too much water from their body (dehydration). They may also become unwell from the heat (heat exhaustion) or develop a dangerously high body temperature (heatstroke).

Keep your baby cool and protect them from the sun.

Babies under six months old should be kept out of direct sunlight. Older babies should also stay out of the sun as much as possible. This is especially true between 11 am and 3 pm when the sun is strongest.

If you go out, use a parasol or sunshade on your pushchair. Do not cover your baby's pushchair with a blanket, as this can cause overheating.

• Check your baby regularly to ensure they are not too hot.
• Dress your baby in lightweight clothing.
• For babies aged six months or older, apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. Make sure it protects against both types of harmful sun rays (UVA and UVB).
• Re-apply sunscreen regularly and after swimming or sweating.

Like adults, babies need plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Fully breastfed babies do not need water until they start solid foods.

During hot weather, they may want to breastfeed more often. If you are bottle-feeding, you can give your baby a little cooled boiled water in addition to their usual milk feeds.